Brig. Gen. Stephen F. Logan, the Army National Guard Joint Task Force 5-0 Dual Status Commander, highlighted the collaborative efforts to combat the Maui wildfires, emphasizing the significant impact of military and civilian partnerships. The briefing aimed to provide updates on the Department of Defense's response to the wildfires and answer questions, according to an Aug. 18 news release.
"The combined strength of our military and civilian partners is making a significant impact on the ground," Logan said in the release. "I'm immensely proud of every individual contributing to these efforts."
Logan expressed deep concern for those affected by the wildfires and provided insights into the collaborative efforts between county, state and federal authorities to provide necessary aid and assistance to the people of Maui. He emphasized the Department of Defense's role was in support of the county of Maui and Mayor Richard Bissen's efforts, rather than taking the lead, the release reported.
Logan addressed various aspects of the response efforts, such as the involvement of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for remains identification, mental health services for responders, federal government response perceptions, communications architecture and security in the impacted areas, the release said.
Logan also addressed the long-term commitment of the Department of Defense in the recovery process, including securing the impact zone, restoring normalcy for residents and dealing with hazardous materials, according to the release. Questions regarding the restoration of the water system and rebuilding the harbor were answered, noting the Department of Defense had not been tasked with such roles.
In his closing remarks, Logan expressed gratitude for the public's support and commitment of all involved in the efforts, highlighting the combined strength of military and civilian partners working to make a positive impact. He reaffirmed the Department's commitment to supporting local, state and federal authorities in providing assistance to the affected community, the release reported.
Lt. Col. Devin Robinson served as the moderator for the virtual briefing on the ongoing efforts to address the devastating wildfires in Maui. The briefing outlined several ground rules, including a 30-minute time constraint, pre-identified reporters for questions and a focus on the topic of the Defense's response to the wildfires. Reporters were asked to limit questions to one and a potential follow-up, considering the Zoom environment's audio challenges, the release said.
